Maya's POV

"Okay..wait-what?! " My head jerked up when I realized what he just said. Was he saying that Eden just spent five hundred million dollars on a fake item?!

"Niklaus!" I lowered my voice but it didn't stop me from calling him firmly "You can't really be serious? "

He gave me a stern look "Does it look like I'm joking? "

Oh my God, he really wasn't kidding. What have I gotten myself into? Niklaus would surely turn my hair grey from stress.

"But the auctioneer claimed the items sold here are authentic?! " I shouted at a whisper.

Niklaus tilted his head towards me languidly " Yeah, all the items sold here are authentic aside that necklace "

So it was a trap.

I shrugged "So what if Eden hadn't been the one to buy it but another influential person, what would you have done? "

Niklaus pursed his lips thoughtfully and replied " Another person wouldn't have brought it, why do you think I bided ? My dear cousin follows everything I do "

He smiled and I couldn't help but shiver, Niklaus was not only shameless but sly. He really knows how to mess someone up, I really hope I don't get on his bad side!

Niklaus obviously knew Eden likes copying and competing with him for everything. So he bided but never had the intention of buying that necklace contrary to my thought.

It was a trap - a well thought plan - Niklaus had purposely hiked the prices and let Eden waste his resources on a necklace that wasn't even worth it.

I wondered if I made a mistake here, He had always warned me that Eden was the foxy and manipulative one between them, but the way I see things; Niklaus seems to be the one instead.

Suddenly wondering if Eden knows he has been fooled, I curiously turned around and saw him with his brows drawn together in a frown while rubbing his chin, deep in thoughts.

Of course how could he not suspect something was wrong, Eden might not be as smart as Niklaus but he was definitely intelligent.

Suddenly he glanced up, our eyes met and I froze, he just caught me staring at him.

But a hand lifted my face back around and I turned to face Niklaus's dark gaze.

"You shouldn't look at other men when you're with me, especially him"

He moved his face closer to mine,

"It makes the urge to murder him grow ." Niklaus confessed causing goosebumps to run down my arms.

I gulped nervously, but I summoned the courage to ask " Why do you two hate each other so much? "

A wry smile twisted his lips "Oh trust me, we have a very very good reason to hate each other very much"

But as usual, he didn't go into details. I sighed exasperatedly, when would Niklaus finally learn to trust and confide in me.

"Don't worry " he suddenly added " I'll tell you everything you want to know when the time comes "

Sure, he would tell me when I grow grey hairs or the time should come when I'm about seventy years old, right?

"Are you guys done? " Isabella who had been surprisingly quiet all this time asked with an irritated tone.

Niklaus scowled while I shook my head, manners young lady! I scolded in my head.

Then Isabella suddenly dropped something on the table and pushed it towards me causing my eyes to widen. How did she -!

"How could you? Do you know how much I've been searching for this? " I chided her while staring at my cell phone in wonder.

"It's no fault of mine that you were careless around me " Izzy argued much to my shock.

My mouth dropped open, and disbelief crossed my feature "Oh really? It's my fault now that my phone is no longer safe with you around ? "

Emily stifled a laugh, while Governor Ahmed who had been occupied with his phone all this while revealed an amused expression and Niklaus…?

Let's just say he has this expression that says "This is teenage problems and she's your daughter, take your time solving it "

I huffed, seriously? When I need their help the most "It seems you have forgotten you're grounded " I reminded her.

Isabella rolled her eyes " You never grounded me mum " came her mocking tone " You only confiscated my electronic devices " She clarified with a triumphant smile.

Izzy added " Beside, Father was the one who gave me the permission to stay in the party "

Niklaus choked on his drink from shock, it seems he was not yet used to hearing such names.

He wiped his mouth with the napkin while Ahmed told him, " She sure has a lot of patience "

My eyes moved towards Ahmed and though I tried to control it, a blush still crept my face. It was surreal seeing the object of your fantasy blood and flesh and sitting right in front of you .

Niklaus turned towards him and cocked a brow " Why? Do you like her?

My brows furrowed together, what game is Niklaus playing this time?

"And if I say yes? " Ahmed answered and I choked on my saliva.

What is wrong with these people? They were discussing me as if I wasn't present at all.

Niklaus nonchalantly replied " Then you can forget about your second governorship tenure "

Though it seems like they were joking around, I couldn't help but notice the tension slowly brewing between them.

"You're still as tyrannical as ever " Ahmed remarked, shaking his head sympathetically " I wonder how she puts up with your overbearance "

I mentally clasped my heart theatrically, Ahmed and I must be kindred spirits, how could he perfectly understand what I'm going through?

But Niklaus was adamant on winning and so he faced me with this goofy smile on his face asking,

"Tigress, am I overbearing? "

I wanted to scowl at him but knowing the kind of person I'm dating - he would probably find a way to get back at me later - I forced a smile on my face

"Of course not" I clasped his face and stretched the skin playfully "How could my good looking honey pie be overbearing? Though he can be stubborn and annoying sometimes but I love him "

Everyone at the table froze,Niklaus included.

Was I not supposed to say that? Why were they staring at me like I did an abominable thing?

Thankfully the tension was eased when a staff approached Niklaus and whispered something into his ears and he nodded in response.

Niklaus stood up from his seat.

"Where are you going? " I was surprised, was he running away just because I playfully said I loved him.

"The auction has ended, I need to make a speech " He told me and I looked across the stage, only to discover the auctioneer was already summarizing.

The auction was really over ? I was so immersed in this discussion of ours that I became oblivious to the world around me.

" Alright, " I said and released him.

"I'll be back " He pecked me on the cheek and left with the staff.

"You're really bold and lucky " Ahmed commented as soon as he left.

I glanced up confused " I don't understand "

Izzy released a bored expression " In one word, he's trying to say my father doesn't do love "

Emily gestured her head towards Isabella " Her mother was the only one he ever loved "

But Isabella sneered "Love my ass"

Ahmed chuckled at her drama " You sure look a lot like your father, just pray you don't turn out to be like him or break his record of leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake " he pointed out but Isabella wasn't pleased with his words.

"Trust me, I'm nothing like that man "

"Sure, you're more than " I mumbled under my breath.

"Hey, stop crucifying my brother! " Emily warned, specifically at Ahmed "He might have been a player but he was a good one, he did tell all the girls from the very beginning what they were getting themselves into! " she justified his actions.

"But you can't control your feelings, they spring up on their own, " I said to them.

"Yep, tell that to one of the models he literally exiled to the Caribbean when she confessed her love for him " Ahmed said jovially but it didn't sound funny to me.

Emily scratched her head, recalling slowly "I think he almost did the same to that actress called Lisa or something If she hadn't been under Eden "

My blood chilled at once, had I made a mistake?

"But don't worry " Emily waved it away when she saw the apprehension that took over me "Since he hasn't sent you packing, you're clearly an exception "

Emily tried to cheer me up but it made me all the more nervous. Is that why he didn't give me a clear reply earlier when I confessed to him?

Izzy yawned "Let's hope it lasts "

"Thank you ladies and gentleman for honouring the invitation tonight " Niklaus's voice boomed across the ballroom through the microphone.

I glanced up, he was standing on the podium and giving a speech.The spotlight focused on him and it made soberly made me realize the difference in our statues .

Up there he looked like a leader, a king that could only be watched but not touched.

I tried to deny it but perhaps there was some atom of truth in Tina's words; there was too big a difference between the both of us.

"On behalf of Spencer Group, I am very grateful for your continual support towards this great cause "

Niklaus went on " We all came from different parts of the world but gathered this evening to make a

great impact on the lives of orphans, vulnerable children, young people living with life-threatening conditions and people surviving below two dollars a day.

"And I would assure you that every proceeds made from this valuable donations would go to charity and towards making life liveable "

His speech won a round of applause from the audience and he had to pause for the celebratory sounds to die off.

"Now before I drop this microphone, I would like to make a special announcement " he said drawing a hushed whispers from the crowd.

"I'm sad yet happy to announce that I would be off the eligible bachelor's list this year "

There was a shocked gasp from the people but I think I was more shocked.

Is Niklaus about to propose? Oh my God, I began to fan myself. This was totally unexpected, I wasn't even prepared; he took me by surprise.

"Yes,I would be getting married to a very special woman who is also here with us tonight "

Once he said that, people began to look around curiously. I felt heated gazes on me which was brief thankfully cause Niklaus continued.

"Tigress, you should know I'm not good with words so I'm going to go straight to the point. Will you marry me? "

Niklaus asked and knelt down on one kneel right there, waiting for my reply.

My heart was pounding against my chest, did Niklaus just propose to me?

I was nervous having known I'll walk up the stage just to give him an answer. I already knew all eyes would be on me.

But just as I stood up , I heard a reply boom from the microphone

" Yes, I will "

I froze, then with excruciating slowness looked up only to see Tina pull Niklaus to his feet abruptly and kissed him right on the lips infront of the audience and the flashing camera lights.

Almost immediately a clap came from behind, I glanced over my shoulder and saw Adam - he was clapping enthusiastically.

Suddenly he was followed by Eden and the next, the whole crowd joined in the joyous applause while Niklaus stood stiff as Tina kissed him and I hightailed it out of the ballroom inbetween sobs.